College of the Dervish

Studying the sacred dances of their ancestors, Dervishes stand confidently in the whirlwind of conflict. Martial techniques perfected in the deserts of Calimshan and the Shaar allow a Dervish’s blades to lash out quickly at multiple opponents, surrounding the bard with a swath of destruction. Initiates often learn spells of self-protection, or that rush a combatant into battle, and invocations that empower attacks. Masters of the profession can beguile their foes and inspire their allies. Wandering the savannahs and deserts of Calimshan to the Shaar the Dervish sings to the earth and wind, and the fury of the sandstorm answers in response.

Weapon Proficiencies

When you join the College of the Dervish at 3rd level, you gain proficiency with longswords, shortswords, and scimitars. You also gain proficiency in Performance.

If you’re proficient with a simple or martial melee weapon, you can use it as a spellcasting focus for your bard spells.

Dance of the Dervish

Starting at 3rd level, you can perform a deadly dance of blades, provided that you are wielding a slashing weapon in each hand and not wearing medium or heavy armor. It graces you with supernatural speed, agility, and focus. You can spend a use of your Bardic Inspiration to start the Dance of the Dervish, which lasts for 1 minute. You must remain in motion and move at least 5 feet on your turn while Dance of the dervish is active. You end the dance early if you are incapacitated or can no longer move. You can also end the Dance of the Dervish at any time you choose (no action required). While your Dance of the Dervish is active, you gain the following benefits:

• You gain a bonus to your AC equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of +1).
• Your walking speed increases by 10 feet.
• You have advantage on Dexterity (Acrobatics) checks.
• You gain a bonus to any Constitution saving throw you make to maintain your concentration on a spell. The bonus equals your Charisma modifier (minimum of +1).

Whirling Dervish

Starting at 6th level, while your are performing your Dance of the Dervish you become a tornado of blades. When you make an attack using your bonus action as part of two weapon fighting, you may make additional attacks equal to your Charisma modifier (minimum of +1) at any number of different creatures that come within your reach. You must remain moving and move at least 5 feet between attacks and you cannot move in the direction you just came from, if you stop moving, move in a direction you have just come from, or are unable to move the Dance of the Dervish ends.

 

Wall of Swords

Additionally beginning at 6th level, any creature that tries to strike you with a melee attack is met with a Wall of Swords. If a creature misses you with a melee attack you may use your reaction to make one attack of opportunity against that creature.

Beguiling Dance

Starting at 14th level, when you activate your Dance of the Dervish, you can choose to concentrate solely on your performance. You begin to sing a deadly melody in perfect rhythm with your spinning and striking, all creatures that can see and hear you must make a Wisdom saving throw versus your bard spell DC. Creatures that fail the save are entranced by you and have disadvantage on attack rolls against creatures other than you, and cannot take reactions for the duration of your Dance of the Dervish. An affected creature can make another saving throw and the end of its turn to try and end the effects.

Additionally, a number of allies up to your Charisma modifier (minimum of +1) become inspired by your deadly song and gain temporary hit points equal to your bard level + Charisma modifier. You must concentrate on this ability as if it were a spell and make concentration checks when damaged.

You can use this ability once. You regain use of this ability after a short or long rest.